Two Banks Hit In Unrelated Heists

Robbers held up two Spokane banks - one on East Sprague, the other on the South Hill - in unrelated heists Thursday, the FBI said.

In the first robbery, at Key Bank, 4220 E. Sprague, a man walked in with a brown paper bag about 11:30 a.m. He said he had a gun, demanded money, then ran out after getting some cash, the FBI spokesman said.

The robber was described as a white man in his late 30s or early 40s, with reddish-brown hair and a full beard. He wore sunglasses, a blue baseball cap, a long-sleeved shirt and blue jeans.

Two hours later, a man handed a teller a note at the U.S. Bank at 2807 E. 29th, and fled after receiving some money, the FBI said.

The suspect was described as an unshaven, dark-haired man. He wore a maroon nylon jogging suit.

Authorities didn’t disclose the amount of money taken in the robberies.

Spokane Valley is poised for growth with a balanced budget, a new city hall building and infrastructure improvements to lure new businesses to the city, Spokane Valley Mayor Rod Higgins said at a State of the City address on Wednesday.